Abstract
The applicability of a newly developed method, Graphite Furnace-Capacitively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (GF-CCP-AES) for ppb level determination of hydride-forming metallic elements and heavy metals in drinking water was investigated. The intensity of the plasma background emission was found to be dependent on the graphite furnace temperature with emission lines limiting the choice of analytical lines for given analysis. Optimized analytical conditions are given below the concentration limits levels of health significance as specified by the Guidelines for Drinking Water given by the World Health Organization (WHO). A simple multi-element detection using a 1-meter spectrometer with photographic film detection was used and shown to provide sufficient sensitivity for rapid screening of analytical parameters specified in the WHO guidelines.
